congregation dorshei tzedek
TRANSCRIPT
60 Highland Street, West Newton, Massachusetts 02465617-965-0330 | www.dorsheitzedek.org | [email protected]
An Affiliate of Reconstructing Judaism
Congregation Dorshei Tzedek
“WHAT IS CHANUKAH?” So begins the sec-tion of the Talmud devoted to the holiday of Chanukah. In a relatively brief discussion, the rabbis discuss the proper way of kindling the Chanukah lights, and in this discussion, men-tion briefly the event associated with this prac-tice: “When the Assyrian Greeks entered the Temple, they polluted all the oils in the Temple,
and when the Hasmonean dynasty overcame and defeated them, they checked and they found but one cruse of oil that was set in place with the seal of the High Priest, but there was in it only enough to light a single day. A miracle was done with it, and they lit from it for eight days. The following year those days were fixed as holidays for praise and thanksgiving” (Shabbat 21b).
Why am I writing about Chanukah in November, you ask? Because this is one of those “early” Jewish years, with Chanukah beginning
at sundown on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, November 28. I’ve often thought of Chanukah as the most Reconstructionist of Jew-ish holidays, proof of Judaism as—in Mordecai Kaplan’s words—an “evolving religious civilization,” with the emphasis on “evolving.” In the original accounts of the victory of the Maccabees (also known as the Hasmoneans) over the conquering Assyrian empire in 166 B.C.E., the re-taking of the holy Temple in Jerusalem includes no mention of any miraculous oil or lighting lights for eight days. The original Chanukah was a celebration of a military victory.
A few centuries later, the Jewish historian Josephus wrote of a “festival of lights” associated with the Hasmonean victory and included this rationale: “I suppose the reason was, because this liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us; and that thence was the name given to that fes-tival.” Nothing about a miracle of oil! Somehow, by the time of the Tal-mud a few centuries after that, this “festival of lights” (an older solstice festival?) had become intertwined with the story of Chanukah, and the
Photo by Viv Shein
Kislev 5782 November 2021
CHANUKAH — DEDICATION & EVOLUTIONby Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Rabbinic Liaison
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Dorshei Tzedek is a Reconstructionist Congregation dedicated to creating a caring and inclusive community, and to enhancing Jewish practice and learning in the lives of our members.
CDT
Staff & Board
NewsletterThe CDT Newsletter is published monthly with a July–August summer issue. Email articles, events, and photos to [email protected]. Usually the deadline is the 10th of the month for the following month’s issue. Volunteer Staff: Josette Akresh-Gonzales, Barbara Pittel, Vivienne Shein (photographer).
Staff:Rabbi Toba Spitzer, [email protected] Director: Melissa Colten,
[email protected] Director of Congregational Learning: Earnest
Vener, [email protected] Assistant: Lise Webbe,
[email protected] Coordinator: Jess Green,
Executive Committee: President: Bob Warren1st President: Stacey Chacker VP Finance: Ezra HausmanSecretary: Dan Rome
Vice-Presidents:VP Membership: Debby SaltzmanVP Education: David Rohodes VP Tikkun Olam: Tony Broh
Board Members–at–Large: Sheree Galpert, Melody Komyerov, Linda Kramer,
Ayelet Lipton, Carla Naumburg, Jenny Sartori, Ro Weichman
Off-Board Chairs:Children’s Education: TBAChesed: Gail Pressberg Nediv Lev: Janice Cole & it could be you! Newsletter: Vacant — could be you!Ritual: Marion Ross & Peter KatzRabbinic Liaison: Cindy Shulak-RomeExecutive Director Liaison: Linette LieblingDCL Liaison: Lissy MedvedowSpace: Steve SiegelWebsite: Dan HalbertWelcoming: Debbie Saltzman (Acting)
Rabbinic Liaison: While congregants are always welcome and encouraged to discuss ques-tions or concerns directly with Rabbi Toba, there are other avenues through which to bring concerns. The Rabbinic Liaison Committee exists to ensure the maintenance of a good work-ing relationship between Rabbi Toba and the congregation. Issues raised by congregants are discussed confidentially and, when appropriate, are shared with the Rabbi in a constructive manner. To discuss a question or concern, contact Cindy Shulak–Rome, Rabbinic Liaison Chair at [email protected].
“miracle of the oil” became a key component of the Chanukah story.
In contemporary America, given its proxim-ity to Christmas, Chanukah has taken on new meaning, and become an opportunity to af-firm Jewish identity in a predominantly Chris-tian society. In this evolution from ancient sol-stice festival to celebration of military victory to a celebration of Godly miracles to a family holiday featuring food and gifts, we can see the “evolution” that Kaplan spoke of.
Most literally, the word “chanukah” means “dedication,” and it refers to the re-dedica-tion of the Temple by the Maccabees a few millennia ago. This year, as we celebrate the evolution of Dorshei Tzedek over the past 30 years, we have an opportunity to “rededicate” ourselves to the mission and values of this wonderful congregation. One characteristic of CDT that I have most appreciated in my 25 years here is the extent to which our mem-bership embraces the idea of being a com-munity in process. At each step of our jour-ney, as we have grown and had to figure out new challenges and take advantage of new opportunities, I have never felt resistance to change. Before I arrived, the congregation went through a process to become a congre-gation welcoming of LGBTQ Jews, before any such individuals were actually members (this was a primary reason that I applied to work here). When it was time to figure out how to fund a full-service congregation, the commu-nity dived into our Torah of Money process. We have undertaken processes to explore the role of our non-Jewish members, to have conversations across differences on Israel/Pal-estine, to promote a culture of chesed/loving-kindness, to take on the work of becoming an
anti-racist community, and more. At each step of the way, I have been impressed and moved by the constant thoughtfulness of this com-munity, the willingness to be challenged, the graciousness when mistakes are made, and the openness of hearts and minds to whatever new opportunity awaits.
This Chanukah, as we continue to adapt to the realities of the pandemic, we have an opportu-nity to celebrate all of the light that has been kindled at CDT over the past 30 years. We are still unable to gather in person for our usual all-ages Chanukah party, so we have planned a Chanukah week with opportunities to con-nect, learn, and celebrate in different ways, whether at Torah study or Mindful Mornings, at Shabbat services or a special Chanukah “block party” (see page 5 for details). In addi-tion, we will be dedicating each night of Cha-nukah to one of the Core Values that guides all that we do at CDT (more information on all of the above is available under “Spiritual Life” on the CDT website, just click on “Chanukah”). Chag urim sameach, may we all enjoy a joyous festival of lights!
Do you need a large print version of the newsletter? Contact the office at [email protected]
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Staff Notes From the Board
CDT has a new administrative assistant! It is with great pleasure that I ask you to join me in extending a warm welcome to CDT’s new full-time administrative assistant, Lise Webbe. Lise will be working Sunday-Thursday, email [email protected], phone 617.465.0330. Our office phone is now being forwarded during business hours, so please call and say hello!
Lise Webbe (they/them) is so honored to be joining the Dorshei Tzedek family as the ad-ministrative assistant. With their Sephardic background, they’re very excited to celebrate some less commonly recognized traditions with their new community. Lise recently grad-
uated from Middlesex Community College in Lowell where they spent time in several differ-ent programs (most notably biology, parale-gal studies, and English literature) in addition to working as a peer tutor in writing where they helped students find success in their ac-ademic careers.
Lise currently lives in Boston with their wife, Emelia, and their little family of two cats, four rats, and a tarantula. In their free time, they enjoy playing the piano, fiction writing, and modern Sephardic cooking. They also have an abundance of passion for spiders, singing, li-braries, and curly hair care. Now, they couldn’t be happier to carry all their experience into the next chapter of their life with CDT.
STAFF OUT OF THE OFFICEMelissa will be out of the office on Tuesday, No-vember 2 for jury duty, attending the National Association of Temple Administration (NATA) conference in AZ Saturday, November 13– Wednesday, November 17, and on vacation Saturday, November 20–Sunday, November 28.
Earnest will be on vacation Monday, Novem-ber 22–Monday, November 29.
The office will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26.
The CDT Board met in early October for Part 2 of its fall retreat. Toba announced the up-coming Reconstructing Judaism (Reconstruc-tionism’s national organization) Convention, in Washington, DC, this coming March, which will be held both live and virtually, and en-couraged all to consider attending. Those who have attended in the past have given it extremely positive reviews. Tony Broh, VP of Tikkun Olam, recapped the ongoing work of CDT’s Afghan Resettlement team, noting that CDT members have already committed almost $20,000 to support a resettled family. The CDT team was also looking at apartments for a resettled family and is now working to find furniture for them as well as organize volunteers to offer transportation and other forms of assistance. The retreat then turned to an extended priority setting activity, ulti-mately endorsing three major areas of Board focus for the coming year: 1) continuing and supporting CDT’s anti-rac-
ism work 2) deepening CDT member engagement with
the community and each other, and 3) near- and long-term staffing needs, includ-
ing rabbinic needs planning.
Please feel free to reach out to any of the CDT Board members (listed on page 2) to give them feedback, volunteer your expertise, or ask questions about what’s going on!
Photo: “Rubber band” performing a selection of songs and sharing an hour of music with the residents at Newbridge on the Charles. Photo by Tal Shalom-Kobi
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Shabbat, Holidays, & Spiritual Practice
ALL-AGES EREV SHABBAT SERVICEFriday evenings, November 5 & December 3, 6:00–6:45pm On Zoom
All are welcome to join Rabbi Toba for this musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, friendly to kids but meaningful for all! Have your can-dles ready to light and a kiddush cup ready to bless. On December 3, we’ll also light our Chanukah candles, do a “Chanukiah show & tell,” sing Chanukah songs, and hear a Chanu-kah story! Zoom links are available on the CDT website.
SHABBAT MORNING SERVICESAll are welcome to join us every Saturday morning for prayer, song, and Torah, begin-ning at 10am. Zoom or YouTube streaming information for each service can be found on the CDT website; just click on the calendar link in purple writing on the upper right corner of the homepage. If you’d like to join us in per-son, registration is requested; you can sign up by clicking on the calendar page on the CDT website. Only those aged 12 and older who are vaccinated may attend in person
in our sanctuary, and masks must be worn throughout the service. For the time being, we will not be sharing Kiddush lunch together.
Shabbat Toldot, November 6, 10am–noon: This Shabbat, we call Lia Kobi to the Torah as a bat mitzvah. All are welcome to join Lia, her family and those in the sanctuary via livestream.
Mazel Tov to Lia as she becomes Bat Mitzvah on Shabbat Toldot. We are so happy to share this occasion with our beloved CDT community.—Tal Shalom-Kobi and Hayim Kobi
Shabbat Vayetzeh, November 13, 10am–noon: All are welcome to join Rabbi Toba in the CDT sanctuary or via livestream as we read in the Torah about Jacob’s dream. The service will be followed by virtual Kiddush chat rooms for all those livestreaming and in-person shmoozing for all those in the sanctuary!
Shabbat Vayishlach, November 20, 10am–noon: All are welcome to join Esther Kohn, Elaine Pollack, and other CDT members either in the CDT sanctuary or via Livestream for a morning of song, prayer, and Torah. The ser-vice will be followed by virtual Kiddush chat rooms for all those livestreaming, and in per-son shmoozing for all those in the sanctuary!
Contemplative Thanksgiving Shabbat, No-vember 27, 10am–11:30am, on Zoom: For our monthly Zoom Shabbat service, Rabbi Toba will lead a contemplative service focusing on themes of gratitude, with chanting, guided, and silent meditation from 10am–11am, fol-lowed by Torah study beginning at 11am. We will close with prayers for healing and Mourn-ers Kaddish at approximately 11:30am, fol-lowed by virtual Kiddush chat rooms.
MINDFUL MORNINGS Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 8:30am–9:15am, on ZoomNOTE: There will be no Mindful Mornings on November 25, Thanksgiving.
This twice-weekly session of guided and silent meditation is open to all, regardless of level of meditation experience. Led by experienced CDT members and Rabbi Toba, Mindful Morn-ings is an opportunity to cultivate qualities of patience, equanimity, compassion, and re-silience. Drop-ins are welcome! For those in mourning or observing a Yahrzeit, Kaddish is recited at the end of the sit. Zoom info is avail-able on the CDT website (for non-members, please email [email protected] for the Zoom info).
CDT MEMBERS MEETING November 14, 10–11:30am
At the first Members Meeting of 5782, we hope at least one representative of each CDT household will attend as we dive into this year’s initiatives of anti-racism, Afghan Family Resettlement, and strengthening our connections with each other. There will be both in person and Zoom options for attendance.
Please register in advance: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwuf-GsqDMqHtSzOjn0ZnQObW-a88jV2GAB
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The Festival of Lights is early this year, and we have something for everyone! While we can’t yet have our regular in-person latke extrava-ganza as in years past, we hope you’ll join us at one or more of these activities over the week of Chanukah:
CDT LIGHTSDaily, Sunday, November 28 through Sunday, December 5, 5:30pm–5:45pmZoom
Each night of Chanukah, we will gather as a community on Zoom to light our chanukiot together and re-dedicate ourselves to our CDT Core Values, lifting up one value each night. Go to the Chanukah page under “Spiritual Life” on the CDT website for details.
CHANUKAH TORAH STUDYMonday, November 29, 8am Zoom
Join Rabbinic Intern Emmanuel Cantor to ex-plore a wide range of rabbinic texts on Cha-nukah—their connections to our lives, and the social, emotional, and spiritual questions of our day. Participants are welcome to drop in or come every week. No prior knowledge is required, and learners of all backgrounds are welcome. Zoom information is in the website calendar event listing.
MINDFUL MORNINGS Tuesday, November 30 & Thursday, December 2, 8:30–9:15am Zoom
These Mindful Mornings sessions during the week of Chanukah, led by CDT mem-bers and Rabbi Toba, will feature medi-
tations focused on themes of light and re-dedication.
ROSH CHODESH CHANUKAH Tuesday, November 30, 4pm–6pm Second Church — please check the event calendar listing for exact location
CDT students in grades 3–6, regardless of en-rollment in Religious School, are invited to join us for an in-person Maariv Service and Chanukah activities! We will light chanukiyot and celebrate as a community!
ALL AGES CHANUKAH AND EREV SHABBAT5:30pm: CDT Lights — lighting of Chanukah candles and story sharing6:00pm-6:45pm: Kabbalat Shabbat service Zoom
All are welcome to join Rabbi Toba for this special Kabbalat Shabbat service, friendly to kids but meaningful for all! Have your Cha-nukiah ready to light along with your Shab-bat candles (and some latkes ready for after the service!). We’ll light our Chanukah can-dles together, do a “Chanukiah show & tell,” sing Chanukah songs, and hear a Chanukah story, all in addition to the Kabbalat Shabbat service.
SHABBAT CHANUKAHSaturday, December 4, 10am–noon In person and streamed from the CDT sanctuary
All are welcome to join Rabbi Toba for this special Shabbat morning service, featuring the singing of Hallel. Come celebrate the light!
CHANUKAH BLOCK PARTYSunday, December 5, 11:30am–12:30pm In person, outside at JCDS, 57 Stanley Avenue, Watertown
Celebrate Chanukah with Dorshei Tzedek! All CDT members are invited to come together at JCDS for an afternoon Chanukah block party.
There will be Chanukah activities, games, and treats. The root of the word Chanukah is dedi-cation, a time to rededicate ourselves to build-ing a more just world.
This Chanukah event will be dedicated to the Afghan Family Resettlement Project. There will be a rain plan, so stay tuned and go to the event calendar listing on the CDT website for more information if weather is a worry.
Chanukah
Jewish Community Events
JCC OF GREATER BOSTON: GENDER IDENTITY & KIDS WITH AUTHOR KYLE LUKOFF Thursday, November 18, 8pmZoom
No Cost. Registration required. Register at: https://www.bostonjcc.org/classes-and-events/gender-identity-kids-author-kyle-lukoff
Join parents and caregivers of gender non-conforming and trans children for this op-portunity to meet, discuss, and explore the topic of gender identity and children with acclaimed trans and Jewish author Kyle Lu-koff. Kyle will use his Stonewall–award win-ning book, “When Aidan Became A Brother,” to engage parents in a conversation about parenting trans and gender-expansive youth. With the text as a guide, we will look at the many different ways to grow and develop with children as they form their identities.
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CDT ArtsCALLING ALL VISUAL ARTISTS!Lynda & RoWe would be honored to have a 4-person ex-hibit in the CDT Sanctuary this spring. Please let us know if you are interested in exhibiting your artwork in a SOLO or GROUP SHOW in the CDT Sanctuary at this time or in the future.
Pieces must be able to hang on walls in the gallery area; examples include photos, paint-ings, quilts/fabric art, prints, glass, and mo-saics. During COVID, your work will be seen during Shabbat services and any other meet-ing or event held in the Sanctuary. When the sanctuary is not in use, it is a locked area. Peo-ple can also schedule to visit your exhibit by appointment with Melissa. The exhibit will also be virtual on the CDT website. You are welcome to upload and share photos, videos, and artist’s statements of your contributions to the exhibit.
If you and others would like to have a group show together, please let us know. We can also create groups depending on the submissions that are received. Please don’t be shy — this is a wonderful and fun opportunity.
If you have any questions, please con-tact Lynda ([email protected], 617.610.3943) or Ro ([email protected]). Thanks. We look forward to hear-ing from you!
CommunityMAZEL TOVMazel tov to our very own DCL, Earnest Vener, and his partner, Emma Price, on their wedding!
Earnest writes: After three years of engage-ment and three postponed weddings due to COVID, Emma and I stood under the chuppah on October 24th! We were surrounded by im-mediate family and a few close friends. We are overflowing with gratitude and excited for this new chapter to officially begin! Mazel tov to CDT members Amy Westebbe and David Broad, on their wedding! Mazel tov to Lila Rumpf, Jordana Ka-plan-Tanchel, and Frieda Naumburg, and their families, on becoming b’not mitzvah!
YAHRZEITThis month we remember CDT member Su-sannah Zisk, whose 10th yahrzeit falls on November 19. We will remember Susannah at Shabbat morning services on November 27. May her memory be for a blessing.
This month we also remember CDT member Alex Fried, whose 14th yahrzeit falls Novem-ber 26. We will remember Alex at Shabbat morning services on December 4. May his memory be for a blessing.
CONDOLENCESWe extend condolences to CDT Executive Director Melissa Colten and her family on
the death of her aunt, Gayle Kaplan. May her memory be for a blessing.
We extend condolences to Lori Garg and her family on the death of her father, Fredric Freed. May his memory be for a blessing.
We extend condolences to Janice Cole and her family on the death of her aunt, Jeanne Zeller.
MOURNING AT CDTAs a reference, CDT members have created the brochure “Finding Comfort, Giving Support: A Guide to Mourning at Congregation Dor-shei Tzedek,” available on the resource table in our sanctuary and on our website at https://www.dorsheitzedek.org/mourning.
Avelut: Support for those in mourning Tuesday, November 9 , 7:30pm–9:15pm
A group of CDT members in various stages of the journey of mourning meets via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month to support one another, to reflect on loss on the occasion of a yahrzeit, and to remember the legacies of the loved ones we carry with us. Any CDT member is welcome. For more information, please contact Nancy Gertz, [email protected] or Dianne Lior, [email protected].
REFUAH SHLEYMAHWe send blessings for complete healing to Ellie Goldberg, Al Glazerman, Steve Adler Golden, and Emma Price.
Please notify the Newsletter of life cycle events, accomplishments, or other moments you would like to share with the community.
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Tikkun Olam
DAYENU CLIMATE CIRCLE MEETING FEATURING FIX THE ISO GRIDMonday, November 8, 8pm–9pmZoom
Join CDT’s Dayenu Climate Circle to learn about the campaign to “fix the grid” and take action to advance climate justice in New En-gland. Our region’s electricity grid operator, ISO-NE, is keeping us hooked on polluting fossil fuels. In fact, only 5% of the energy it purchases are renewables, with Black, Indig-enous, and communities of color and poor communities bearing an unjust burden of energy pollution. Together, we will hear from longtime activist Marya Axner about the effort to end our grid’s dependence on fossil fuels and bring clean, renewable energy for all.
Please register for this Zoom meeting in ad-vance on the CDT calendar event listing.
GBIO UPDATE
At the time of writing, GBIO (the Greater Bos-ton Interfaith Organization) is planning for its meeting with the two Boston city mayoral can-didates. The GBIO platform will be explored in more depth with them, so that the winner can be held accountable once she takes office.
Opportunities for any interested CDT mem-bers to get involved with GBIO’s platform is-sues addressing affordable housing, mental health and the schools, and reentry services will be announced soon. Also on the calendar is GBIO’s Impact Fund, offering those involved with GBIO an opportunity to make a dona-tion. If you have any questions about GBIO or would like to get more involved, please con-tact Louise Enoch at [email protected].
AFGHAN FAMILY RESETTLEMENTAnnette Jacobs We have been overwhelmed by the continu-ing generosity of the CDT community. You are also doing a terrific job of “getting the word out” to people you know, who are enthusiastic about helping. As of mid-October, we have raised approximately $20,000. It is likely that we will need additional funding to help the family with their ongoing expenses through-out their first year. We have been fortunate to find a well-main-tained 2-bedroom apartment in North Cam-bridge in a culturally diverse community within walking distance to ethnically appro-priate grocery shopping. We are grateful for the furniture donations that have come in from CDT members and friends; to see what
furniture items are still needed, or to donate items that will go to other Afghan families ar-riving in MA, please click on “Afghan Family Resettlement” under “Social Justice” on the CDT website. Welcome Home, a home goods pantry in Newton, MA, providing kitchen, bath, and bedding items, is partnering with CDT to sup-ply household goods to our family and other resettling Afghan families. To donate your household goods to Welcome Home, please go to their website or email [email protected]. Welcome Home will then supply these items to our family. Excess items may also go to other Afghan families settling in Massachusetts.
Once the family arrives, we will need to sup-port them with many volunteers, both for ongoing regular tasks as well as one-time opportunities. Many of you have already vol-unteered and are ready to help. We will hope to have a large number of volunteers, as this is going to be a long-term need. If you are in-terested and haven’t yet signed up, please go to the Afghan Family Resettlement webpage on the CDT website and complete the Afghan Family Resettlement Volunteer Form to let us know in what ways you may be able to help.
All volunteers who have contact with the fam-ily will be asked to be CORI checked (criminal background check) and to sign statements promising to maintain the family’s confiden-tiality and to not post any information about the family on social media sites. Anyone giv-ing the family rides will also be requested to provide a valid driver’s license and proof of a
minimum of $100,000/$300,000 liability auto-mobile insurance. We anticipate the family will arrive sometime in November. We’re almost there, thanks to all of you! Since we have been told we may have very short notice of their arrival date, we want to be certain that prior to that the apartment is fully furnished, stocked with a week’s supply of cul-turally appropriate food, and that volunteers are ready to help. We know we can depend on you to make this happen.
Once the family arrives, we need to support them with many volunteers, both for ongoing regular tasks, as well as one-time opportunities.
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Chesed Nediv Lev
Our congregation values Chesed, acts of lov-ing-kindness. Our gestures of practical comfort and caring are a way that we acknowledge each other’s hardships, life transitions or stressful times to build the type of caring community we want to live in.
While COVID continues, we have been ordering Chesed meals from local restaurants such as In-na’s Kitchen, thanks to Rabbi Toba’s Discretion-ary Fund. When a need arises, a Chesed Coordi-nator will contact the member to inquire about food preferences, order the meal, and send out a request from LotsaHelpingHands for a volunteer to pick up and deliver the meal.
When a member needs a ride, the Coordinator will discuss COVID precautions such as wear-ing masks, keeping windows open, and sitting in the back seat. And, for everyone’s safety, the volunteer driver and recipient need to discuss their vaccination status and the status of people in their household when they confirm arrange-ments for the ride.
A few years ago, the CDT Chesed Committee collected favorite recipes and sources for glu-ten-free, nut-free and other non-allergenic treats and food baskets. Please note that food baskets of clearly labeled store-bought items is very helpful to members who need to avoid glu-ten, nuts, dairy and other allergenic foods. Find these recipes online at https://tinyurl.com/RecipesCDT. The Chesed Coordinators for November are El-len Pashel and Beth Green. Please contact the Chesed Coordinators if you have questions or a request for Chesed at [email protected].
Rabbi Toba is available to talk about any spiritual, religious, or personal issues that you might want to discuss. To schedule an appointment, please contact Rabbi Toba (confidentially) at [email protected]. Rabbi Toba does not check email on Shabbat (Friday evening through Saturday evening) or on Mondays (her day off). For congregants experiencing financial difficulties, help is available through the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund. This fund is completely confidential.
CONTRIBUTIONSThere are many ways to financially support Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, including con-tributions to the General Fund or to targeted funds. The Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund is not part of the congregation’s operating expenses. Monies in this fund are used for tzedakah in the greater community, for special needs of the congregation (e.g., to buy books or help pay for an adult education program) and, most important, to help out congregants in need. The Jill Volk Teacher Development Fund pro-vides scholarships for teachers in the Dorshei Tzedek Religious School to receive profes-sional development and training. Jill was one of the founders of our school and one of its first teachers; this fund allows her love of Jewish learning to continue to enrich our community.We gratefully acknowledge the following contributions:
ADULT EDUCATIONChristopher Combest
AFGHAN ASSISTANCE FUNDKaren & Jeffrey ArnoldDiane BeckerSusan BernsteinThea Breite—in memory of Susan MoserElaine BresnickAmy Brodesky & Rex FlynnTony BrohHelaine & John CarrollStacey ChackerMerly Epstein & Trish Nuzzola—in memory of Lillian & Shelly EpsteinLauren GibbsSarah Hartman & Ben NewmanJudy & Chayim Herzig-MarxAndrea & Jonathan KamensReva KasmanLinda & Peter KatzKathleen KoplikSue LanserAlissa Leonard—in memory of Susannah Elkin ZiskJenny & Jay LeopoldDianne LiorCorinne LofchieZoe MillerSivan NasoffCarla Naumburg & Joshua Herzig-MarxJanet Penn
Elaine PollackGail PressbergJo RadnerAnne RedmondCheryl & Jeff SacksLisa Samelson & Paul HattisDebby & John SlatzmanMyra SchwartzDeborah WaberCarol Sklar— with thanks to the wonderful com-munity that is CDT. Couldn’t be prouder than to share tikun olam with all of youJamie Tessler—in memory of her father, Theo-dore (Ted) TesslerJonathan Weisberg
GENERAL DONATIONSFran Malino—in memory of Eugene BlackJonathan Weisberg—in memory of Herman Weisberg & Martha Weisberg Garlikov
HIGH HOLYDAYS DONATIONSAlice Horning—in thanks for the streamed hol-iday services on RH. I enjoyed the rabbi’s singing and d’varim
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUNDJanet Boguslaw & Howard Kaufman
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MUSSAR PRACTICE GROUP Q&A: A TINY TASTE OF MUSSAR WITH ORA AND EARNEST!November 17, 2022, 7:30pm–8:30pm Zoom
Never heard of Mussar and are looking for more info? Have you been wondering about Mussar, but don’t know if it is right for you? Would you like to join the practice group and want to know more about the content?
Come to the Q&A where you will get a tiny taste of Mussar and answers to all your ques-tions about the group. We can’t wait to learn with you!
MUSSAR (APPLIED JEWISH ETHICS) PRACTICE GROUP WITH ORA GRODSKY AND EARNEST VENERTen Wednesdays, 7pm–9pm: December 1, December 22, January 12, February 2, February 23, March 9, March 30, April 20, May 11, June 1Zoom
“The Goal of Mussar practice is to help us fulfill our potential to really live as the holy souls we are.” —Rabbi Alan Morinis, Everyday Holiness
Mussar is a treasure trove of Jewish spiritual teachings and practices for cultivating inner wisdom and spiritual development. It was de-veloped over 1,000 years ago in Babylonia and Spain, was refined in Eastern Europe during the 18th century, and is now enjoying a resur-gence in the US.
This class will meet every 3 weeks November–April as a Vaad (learning community) to learn together about Mussar and support each others’ practice. Participants will also have a chavruta (learning partner) to meet with be-tween sessions, and will design their own daily practices, which can be as little as 5 minutes a day. No prior knowledge of Mussar or Jewish spiritual practice is required and all who are interested and able to commit to the class are welcome!
TORAH STUDY WITH RABBINIC INTERN EMMANUEL CANTORMonday mornings, 8am–8:45amZoom
Start your Monday mornings with Torah Study! Join Emmanuel for a weekly 45-minute study session, focusing on the weekly Torah portion. You are welcome to drop in or come every week. All are welcome, and no prior knowledge is required. See the CDT website for Zoom information, and email Earnest at [email protected] with any questions.
Learning
Children’s and Family Programs
Earnest Vener, Director of Congregational Learning
In this newsletter, I am featuring Kitah Dalet (4th grade class). The Kitah Dalet curriculum explores the stories of the avot v’imot (Jewish spiritual ancestors), the very first stories of the first Jewish family in the Torah. In preparation for diving into these stories, the Kitah Dalet teacher, Shira Cohen, designed a unit asking, “what is Torah?”
This unit culminated in an interview with Soferet Julie Seltzer. In preparation for the interview, the students researched the parts of the Torah and created diagrams identify-ing the different components of a Sefer Torah (Torah scroll). They did research using books and videos and created lists about what they do and do not know about the Torah. This led to the class creating a list of, drum roll please, fifty questions to ask the Soferet. The ques-tions ranged from “how many letters are in the
Torah?” to questions about the materials used for the quill, ink, parchment and wood. The children also wanted to know how a person becomes a soferet.
Soferet Julie Seltzer has written four Torahs. She wrote her first Torah as part of an ex-hibit at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco from 2009–2011, where vis-itors watched her scribe. Julie Zoomed into Kitah Dalet and was projected on a big screen. Morah Shira wrote the questions down on slips of paper and put them in a bowl. The students each got a turn to pick a question to ask Julie. Julie answered their questions with patience and enthusiasm, sharing her love of Jewish scribal arts. Julie had the children guess how many letters are in the Torah. What do you think the answer is? The students were excited to learn that there are over 300,000 letters in the Torah.
The unit concluded with the children using calligraphy pens to write out the first words of the Torah. This deep exploration, research, hands on work, and connection with a real soferet will certainly be a memorable expe-rience for these children. May it be a year of sweet Torah learning for Kitah Dalet and all our students at Dorshei Tzedek.
10 Congregation Dorshei Tzedek | dorsheitzedek.org
NOVEMBER 2021 • CHESHVAN/KISLEV 5782
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat31 Cheshvan 25
9:30am Bet Family Ed 9:30am Sunday Reli-gious School 12:00pm Bandits (Vav-Zayin) 7:00pm Adult B’nei Mitzvah Class with Rabbinic Intern Em-manuel Cantor
1 Cheshvan 26
8:00am Torah Study with Rabbinic Intern Emmanuel Cantor
2 Cheshvan 27
8:30am Mindful Mornings 3:00pm Tuesday Religious School
3 Cheshvan 28
7:30pm With All Your Possesions: The Torah of Money
4 Cheshvan 29
8:30am Mindful Mornings
5 Kislev 1
Rosh Chodesh Kislev6:00pm All Ages Erev Shabbat Service
6 Kislev 2
Toldot 10:00am Shabbat Ser-vice and Bat Mitzvah of Lia Kobi
7 Kislev 3
9:30am Israel Educa-tion Parent Meeting 9:30am Sunday Reli-gious School 10:00am 8th/9th Grade Kids4Peace 7:00pm Adult B’nei Mitzvah Class with Rabbinic Intern Em-manuel Cantor
8 Kislev 4
8:00am Torah Study with Rabbinic Intern Emmanuel Cantor8:00pm Dayenu Climate Circle Meeting Featuring FixTheISO-Grid
9 Kislev 5
8:30am Mindful Mornings 3:00pm Tuesday Religious School
10 Kislev 6
7:30pm With All Your Possesions: The Torah of Money
11 Kislev 7
8:30am Mindful Mornings
12 Kislev 8
13 Kislev 9
Vayetzei10:00am Shabbat Morning Services
14 Kislev 10
9:30am Gimmel Family Learning 9:30am Sunday Reli-gious School 9:30am Nitzanim/Gan 12:00pm Dalet-Vav Band 7:00pm Adult B’nei Mitzvah Class with Rabbinic Intern Em-manuel Cantor
15 Kislev 11
8:00am Torah Study with Rabbinic Intern Emmanuel Cantor
16 Kislev 12
8:30am Mindful Mornings 3:00pm Tuesday Religious School 6:00pm 8th/9th Grade Tuesday Program
17 Kislev 13
7:30pm Mussar Prac-tice Group Q&A: A Tiny Taste of Mussar with Ora and Earnest!
18 Kislev 14
8:30am Mindful Mornings 8:00pm JCC of Greater Boston: Gender Identity & Kids with Author Kyle Lukoff
19 Kislev 15
20 Kislev 16
Vayishlach10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
21 Kislev 17
9:30am Hey Family Learning 9:30am Sunday Reli-gious School 12:00pm Dalet-Vav Band 12:00pm Bandits (Vav-Zayin)
22 Kislev 18
8:00am Torah Study with Rabbinic Intern Emmanuel Cantor
23 Kislev 19
8:30am Mindful Mornings 3:00pm Tuesday Religious School
24 Kislev 20
25 Kislev 21
26 Kislev 22
27 Kislev 23
Vayeshev 10:00am Contem-plative Thanksgiving Shabbat
28 Kislev 24
5:30pm-5:45pm CDT Lights
29 Kislev 25
Chanukah 8:00am Chanukah Torah Study5:30pm-5:45pm CDT Lights
30 Kislev 26
Chanukah 8:30am Mindful Mornings 3:00pm Tuesday Religious School 4:00pm Rosh Chodesh Chanukah5:30pm-5:45pm CDT Lights
1 Kislev 27
Chanukah 5:30pm-5:45pm CDT Lights 7:00pm Mussar (applied Jewish ethics) Practice Group with CDT Member Ora Grodsky and Earnest Vener
2 Kislev 28
Chanukah
5:30pm-5:45pm CDT Lights
3 Kislev 29
Chanukah 5:30pm-5:45pm CDT Lights 6:00pm All Ages Chanukah and Erev Shabbat
4 Kislev 30
ChanukahRosh Chodesh TevetMiketz10:00am Chanukah Shabbat!5:30pm-5:45pm CDT Lights
dorsheitzedek.org | Congregation Dorshei Tzedek 11
Reconstructionist News & Events
CDT’s Re-Entry Protocol Committee and Guidelines
RECONSTRUCTING JUDAISM CONVENTIONMarch 23–27, 2022
Registration is open! CDT members are in-vited to join Rabbi Toba, Earnest, Melissa, and members of the CDT Board at this ex-citing gathering of Reconstructionists in the Washington, D.C. suburbs. During the con-vention, members of Reconstructionist com-munities around North America will gather in person and virtually to learn from and with experts, scholars, and lay leaders. We’ll have opportunities to pray together, sing and dance together, and celebrate all that we do
every day in our communities to reconstruct Judaism. Go to the Reconstructing Judaism website for more information and to regis-ter — www.reconstructingjudaism.org. Please contact Melissa Colten ([email protected]) for information about financial subsidies.
SAVE THE DATE: GLOBAL DAY OF JEWISH LEARNINGSunday, November 7, 2021
Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., president and CEO of Reconstructing Judaism, and others present “Bringing Peoplehood to Life.” The
day unfolds during a 24-hour period of lives-treamed events around the world.
THE TOWER OF BABEL: PEOPLE’S CHOICE OR PUBLIC NUISANCE?Sunday, November 14, 1 pm–3 pm PST Join University Synagogue to find out why the Tower was the last straw. Professor Oren Izenberg will introduce the story, followed by Professor Laurie Levenson and Dean Erwin Chemerinsky will lead a thought-provoking and entertaining debate and discussion.
Last updated October 18, 2021
In response to the evolving COVID landscape, a Re-entry Protocol Committee was formed in 2020 and has been tasked with following ongoing research as well as federal, state, and municipal policy response and guidelines in order to provide time-sensitive recommen-dations to the CDT executive committee and board on CDT policy for in-person gather-ings, including hybrid programming. Current members: Bob Warren, Barbara Beck, David Felson, Paul Hattis, Linette Liebling, Gail Pressberg, Lauren Stefano, Rabbi Toba, and Melissa Colten.
GUIDELINES FOR IN-PERSON GATHERINGS AS OF OCTOBER 2021This is an exciting time and we all want to gather safely! This autumn, we are having con-gregational Shabbat services in our sanctu-ary, including for b’mitzvot. Please note that all indoor Shabbat services will be lives-treamed for guests and congregants.
• Pre-registration of those attending in-door gatherings is required. Seating is limited to 30% capacity in order to maintain proper distancing and airflow, so we need to know who is attending and how many are in your party. Guests can then find their seats in a group of chairs when they arrive. Unless it is a b’mitzvah, the chairs will NOT be assigned.• Vaccination is required.
• Masks are required and will be maintained for the duration of the program / service, re-gardless of vaccination status. CDT will always have masks on hand in case of need.• Attend only if you are symptom free (with-out elevated temperature, sore throat, nausea, muscle aches, cough, respiratory symptoms, unexplained rash, and loss of smell or taste) and have not been in contact with anyone with COVID.• For those who have been vaccinated and have severely compromised immune systems, please consult your physician before attend-ing any large-scale gatherings.
INDOORS IN THE CDT SANCTUARYWhen at the CDT sanctuary, we can safely and logistically accommodate up to 60 pre-reg-istered guests. Please feel free to call Melissa if you have further questions after reading through the guidelines.
• Windows are to be open and the fans on and set in reverse, so that the air flows upwards.• Seating. We will limit seating in the sanc-tuary to 1/3 of capacity: 60 persons. Pre-reg-istered attendees will be seated in pods that are socially distanced from one another. Fully vaccinated attendees may form a large pod if they wish, sitting together without being socially distanced. • Unvaccinated persons, including the chil-dren of vaccinated adults, are requested to participate via Zoom or livestream only.
• The bimah will be at least 12’ feet from the first row, and masks will be optional on the bima only if the participant has received a negative result from a COVID test within 48 hours prior to the service. If you are unable to obtain an at-home test, please request one from the office.• Food will not be allowed.
OUTDOOR PROGRAMMINGWhile outdoor services at Gann Academy are no longer taking place, we continue to have outdoor events. Please feel free to call Melissa if you have further questions.
• Pre-registration is required. We need to know how many people to expect in order to ensure supplies and seating (if being used) for all attendees.• Seating. If the program is seated, chairs will be set out in pre-arranged groups of 3-5. Children and unvaccinated attendees will be seated within their household.• Masks are required and will be maintained for the duration of the program, regardless of vaccination status. CDT will always have masks on hand in case of need.• The bima will be at least 12’ feet from the first row, and masks will be optional only on the bima only if the participant has received a negative result from a COVID test within 48 hours prior to the service.• Food may not be shared among households.
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Congregation Dorshei Tzedek60 Highland St.West Newton, MA 02465
“Smile” — photograph by Thea Breite